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Your Essential Guide to Long-Term Stay in Korea Navigating Visa Extensions, Status Changes, and Required Reports

Welcome back! If you’re settling into life in Korea for the long haul (meaning you plan to stay for more than 90 days), you’ve likely already tackled your initial Alien Registration. Now, let’s explore the essential administrative steps you might need as your journey continues. Keeping your stay legal involves much more than just the initial registration. This comprehensive guide covers four major procedures and your mandatory reporting duties. This article is the next installment in our full guide series about living in Korea!

Keeping the Good Times Rolling Extending Your Period of Stay

Generally, the length of your stay is determined by your visa type. For most visa-free entries, the limit is 90 days. If you find yourself enjoying Korea so much that you decide to stay longer than initially permitted, you must apply for an extension. The crucial application window opens four months before your current permitted stay ends and closes strictly on the expiration date.

A Friendly Warning Missing this deadline, even by one day, will result in fines! Please be sure to apply well in advance.

The extension process follows a standard flow. You submit your application, the Immigration official reviews the details (sometimes they conduct an on-site inspection), a decision is made, the new details are logged into the system, and your updated documents are issued.

You’ll need the following items to apply for your extension

Integrated Application Form
Your valid Passport and Alien Registration Card (ARC), if you have already registered
Documentation proving your current place of residence
Any specific supporting documents required for your visa category
The application fee, which is usually KRW 60,000 (Note the fee is reduced to KRW 30,000 for Marriage Immigrants F-6)

Hitting the Reset Button Switching Your Status of Stay

If your circumstances in Korea change—perhaps you stop studying and start working, or you get married—you must switch your visa status. It is absolutely essential that you receive permission from the local Immigration Office (or branch office) before you begin any activities associated with the new status.

Here are some common situations where a change of status is necessary

Converting a Short-Term Visit (C-3) into an Investment Visa (D-8). (Heads up Short-term Group Tourists C-3-2 cannot usually change status while in Korea)
Finishing a Language Training program (D-4) and enrolling for full University Study (D-2)
Switching to a Marriage Immigrant visa (F-6) after marrying a Korean national (This applies to long-term visa holders, excluding short-term visitors or undocumented residents)

To switch your status, make sure you have the following ready

Integrated Application Form and one standard photo
Your valid Passport and ARC (if registered)
Supporting documents specific to the new visa status you are applying for
The status change fee is KRW 100,000, plus KRW 30,000 for the new ARC issuance. (Note If you are applying for Permanent Residency F-5, the fee is KRW 200,000, plus the KRW 30,000 ARC fee)

Dual Life Permission for Concurrent Activities

This permission is for long-term residents (those staying 91+ days, excluding short-term visa holders) who want to pursue a secondary activity associated with a different visa type while maintaining their primary visa status. You are essentially asking permission to wear two hats at once.

A classic example is a Student (D-2) or Language Trainee (D-4) who wants to teach English part-time. Trainees (D-4) must wait six months after entry and require official confirmation from their school adviser. Likewise, a missionary with a Religious Visa (D-6) who wishes to deliver a lecture (E-1) at an affiliated institution requires this authorization.

Good News for Marriage Immigrants (F-6) If you hold an F-6 visa, you can engage in employment activities freely without needing this separate Concurrent Activity Permit! Just ensure that the job itself complies with all relevant domestic licensing or qualification requirements.

Required items for this permission include

Integrated Application Form
Your valid Passport and ARC (if registered)
Supporting documents specific to the planned secondary activity
The application fee is KRW 120,000 (Students on D-2 or D-4 visas are often exempt from this charge)

Stepping Out and Coming Back Re-entry Permission

This section applies to registered foreigners (those staying 91+ days) who plan to leave Korea temporarily and intend to return. People exempt from Alien Registration, such as diplomatic staff (A-1 to A-3) and their families, are also included in this requirement.

Automatic Exemption Most registered foreigners are automatically granted an exemption from needing a separate re-entry permit if they plan to return to Korea within one year of departure. If your remaining period of stay is less than one year, the exemption applies only within that shorter period. Permanent Residents (F-5) are exempt for up to two years.

If your trip will exceed these automatic exemption limits, you must apply for a formal permit. A Single Re-entry Permit is valid for up to one year, and a Multiple Re-entry Permit is valid for up to two years.

Documents required for the permit application

Integrated Application Form
Your valid Passport and ARC (if registered)
Fees Single Entry KRW 30,000, Multiple Entry KRW 50,000

If you have received a re-entry permit but realize you cannot return within the granted time due to unforeseen circumstances, you must apply for a re-entry period extension at a Korean Embassy or Consulate in your location. Failing to return within the permitted or exempted period will lead to the automatic loss of your existing residency status.

Your Duty to Report Keeping Immigration Updated

As a registered foreigner, you have a critical legal obligation to inform the immigration authorities about certain changes in your life. You must report these changes to your local Immigration Office within 14 days of the event occurring. Violating this rule can result in fines, penalties, or disadvantages related to your future stay.

Key Changes You Must Report

Changes to core personal identity details such as your Name, Gender, Date of Birth, or Nationality.
Updates to your Passport information, including the number, issue date, or validity period.
Changes or additions to your affiliated institution or organization (applies to D-1, D-2, and D-4 through D-9 visa holders).
Starting a new job or changing employers (applies to H-2 visa holders).
Any change in your place of residence (address).

To report a change, prepare the following

The appropriate Report Form
Your valid Passport and ARC
Documents proving the change (for example, a new lease contract for a residence change)

Just like in any country, Korea has specific rules for long-term foreign residents. Please review the requirements carefully and make sure you complete all necessary procedures and reports on time! This will help ensure your time here remains smooth and worry-free.